Dump the semi-auto term?

[Blackbeard]

Maybe since the news media and politicians are trying to consuse people about the term "semi-automatic" we should go back to calling them "self-loading".

Ever heard of someone who went on a shooting spree with a self-loading weapon?

 

[ChickenHawk]

LOL, I wish my magazines were self-loading, too!

Sorry, I'll stick with the semi-auto terminology.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[Anteater1717]

I like it.

 

[Lonestar49]

I Agree

Quote: Maybe since the news media and politicians are trying to confuse people about the term "semi-automatic" we should go back to calling them "self-loading".

Ever heard of someone who went on a shooting spree with a self-loading weapon?
-------
...

I'm gonna have to agree on this name change and throw some "Political Correctness" back at those that have shoved some of its BS down the public's throats, all in the name of Lawsuits, votes, and my favorite, minority-rules..


LS

 

[the pistolero]

Or, instead of a handgun, it's a defensive sidearm. Or simply a sidearm, as in, "I bought a beautiful new .45-caliber sidearm today."

 

[ChickenHawk]

Or instead of "Sidearm" wouldn't it be more politically correct to call it your "Personal Defense Device."

I have my concealed PDD with me at all times!

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[the pistolero]

Even better, Chickenhawk!

 

[Outlaws]

Guns already automatically shoot people, now they are going to load themselves too?

 

[Zen21Tao]

Actually, the media would just find a way to spin that new title to fit their purpose.

I can see the anti-gun headlines already: "the massacre was committed using the gun pusher's latest threat to law enforcement officers, a gun so advanced that it operates itself. This gun is a "self-loading" gun that does all the tricky mechanical work for the shooter thus making criminals with no prior gun knowledge just as dangerous as well trained police officers."

I also see our argument that "its the criminal not the gun that kills" much more difficult to make when the media and anti-gun groups can say that the gun "loads itself."

We have fought so long to educate people on the difference between semi-auto and automatic, that many people are finally starting to see through the anti-gun folks lies. Throwing out a new term basically puts us right back at square one and can make us look like we have something to hide.

 

[doubleg]

Guns already automatically shoot people, now they are going to load themselves too?

 

[GunTech]

For military self loaders, I prefer the term 'service rifle'.

 

[Tommygunn]

Actually, the media would just find a way to spin that new title to fit their purpose.

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. We'd best resolve ourselves to fight the fight rather than indulge in silly rhetorical slights of hand that really accomplish nothing.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

yes, the media will change the name to fit their purpose. I can't count how many times I've heard on the news that someone was shot with an "automatic pistol". Apparently when you call a semi-auto an automatic pistol, it helps scare and outrage the population.

 

[revjen45]

"For military self loaders, I prefer the term 'service rifle'."
Any number of manually operated rifles are 'service rifles.' A rifle which has been employed by a military is a service rifle. My Krag carbine was an "assault rifle" at the Battle of San Juan Hill. I kinda like "homeland defence firearm." That can include a pump shotgun or indeed any gun suitable for defending The Republic against all enemies- foreign and domestic.
"Autoloader" is an accurate term, but it's too much to expect the ignorant hoplophobic buffoons of the mainstream media to comprehend or switch to in favor of the emotion-laden terms now in vogue.

 

[Crunker1337]

I like the idea of calling handguns/pistols sidearms.

 

[Kentak]

People who do not care to be informed will continue to be confused no matter what terms are used.

Fugehtaboudit

 

[Outlaws]

I can't count how many times I've heard on the news that someone was shot with an "automatic pistol".

That is a correct term.

"Fully automatic" is a pleonasm, but we use it because automatic referred to automatically ejecting the spent casing and chambering the next round. Self loading pistols might not have automatic firing, but they are "automatic". To call the media out on this specific grammar is the pot calling the kettle black. We each have our own agendas, but the varying terms are both correct.

BTW, its .45 ACP, not .45 SACP.

 

[Roc_Kor]

People who do not care to be informed will continue to be confused no matter what terms are used.

Exactly. Couldn't have said it any better.

 

[BBQJOE]

Guns already automatically shoot people, now they are going to load themselves too?

Crap!!! Next thing you know, my guns will learn how to drive.

 

[RonJon]

Call it a "Self-recycling lead projector"

Ron

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Ever heard of someone who went on a shooting spree with a self-loading weapon?

As a matter of fact, yes. Outside of the US, the term self-loading is used quite a bit. In fact, here's one from just a few days ago: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22122080-5001021,00.html

 

[BBQJOE]

Headlines: 45 caliber semi automatic loads itself, steals honda civic and goes on shooting spree!!

 

[sterling180]

Self-loading and semi-auto have both the same meaning and a similar sounding,too.The first one was the old-fashioned definition of an automatic weapon,hence the term self-loading.Semi-auto term,came in much later on.So at the end of the day,I think we should just stick with both terms.Whats the difference anyway?

 

[Zen21Tao]

Just remember, anti-gun media writers/reports get their info from places like the BC and VPC. Switching to the term "self-loading" would allow these groups the opportunity to run will an entire new campaign of fear mongering to try to get the public behind them so they can push for new gun-control measures.

As I said early, they likely use the term to claim that advancements in gun technology have made it so the average untrained criminal that has never handled a gun will be just as effective as a highly trained law enforcement officer. Based on this, they will call for new restrictions and more "sensible" gun laws they will say are needed to combat these new "self-operational" baby killing demon guns.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

And if anybody gives us grief about the term "Self Loading Gun" we can say: "Guns don't self-load themselves. People load them."